Blogs from Kyoto, Japan, Asia - page 78

Welcome to Kyoto, land of the expensive buses... We left Tokyo today and rode the Nozomi Super Express (bullet train I believe) to Kyoto. Let me say this, the Japanese know trains. Their rail network is so efficient, whisking you anywhere you wish to go. And when the sign says a train is coming in 2 minutes, it's right on schedule, every time. Tokyo Station is where we caught the train, and what a big station it is. Navigating through the stations is fairly easy though, as there are English signs as well as Japanese. We bought a quick pork sandwich to eat before boarding and then we were off. The train was very nice, there are power outlets at every seat, and they come through with tea and bento boxes to purchase (a bento box ... read more

Dear Friends, Though I had heard of the union before - my snackfood's advertisement bearing evidence - I dared not hope for more: his name on the box alone was awesomeness enough. Nevertheless, in a collaboration that I can only say makes me shudder with happiness, two of the primal forces of my life, CalorieMate (you may remember me referring to it as "people kibble") and Jack Bauer, have been joined to create Japanese commercials. Every now and then, a U.S. celebrity drifts over the Pacific and ends up in an invariably hilarious situation in Japan, but Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland, "24"), was too much to hope for. A couple of weeks ago I came across Johnny Depp on TV being interviewed by an 8-year-old Japanese boy, which I would have to describe as amusing. Nevertheless, ... read more

Shortly after the Second World War, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)was established in an effort to promote peace and to prevent nasty little conflicts such as World War III*. Stemming from that came the World Heritage Center, a body which aims to preserve cultural heritage and conserve natural areas of a global importance. Since the creation of these two bodies, Kyoto has had 17 sites recognized and placed on the World Heritage List, a fitting tribute to over 2000 temples and shrines located within the city. *Note: I'd like to point out that two of the main founding states, the U.K. and France, were really only there ... read more

I am in Japan!!! A long way from Adelaide, Australia, but here I am in Shizuoka for a year teaching at an English Kindergarten while seeing and experiencing as much of this crazy, mixed up, amazing country as I can! When Marissas parents were here we went back to Kyoto for 2 nights. These are my highlights from the trip!!................... 1. Sanjusangendo- the 1001 wooden statues of Kannon with 42 arms each! 2. Weird girl on the bus screwing up her nose, sticking her tongue out and making funny faces at her boyfriend and continuing to do so even after she saw us giggling uncontrollably at her! 3. Kiyomizudera- "Pure Water Temple" Our ryokan was right near here, so we walked up. Not just another temple!!!! 4. Cormorant Fishing at Arashiyama- Not as great as I ... read more

It was a good experience (I don’t know if that’s the right word to use) that we got to visit Hiroshima the day after the anniversary of the bombing. And I think it’s cool that one of the first things I saw on this trip was Pearl Harbor and one of the last things I saw was Hiroshima. Anyway, this morning (Aug. 7th) I woke up at about 5:15AM (I wasn’t kidding when I said I get up early) to get ready to meet the bus for Hiroshima. The ship staff put out coffee and croissants for us since we would be leaving before breakfast would be served, so that was nice. I took my instant coffee with me, of course, since coffee on the ship sucks. The ship also makes boxed lunches for everyone when ... read more